Who was your favorite Giants wide receiver?

he also invented the spike of the football after a TD.

Showing my age

I’ll never forget “the bomb to Homer” as a kid.

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He was way better than advertised.

In the more modern stretch? Amani Toomer and Victor Cruz

Because he was drafted by the Giants and looking like a top 5 WR, helped us win a superbowl before his career was derailed.

No jewels, no nothin’, just regular.

He was just so great in every way

In comment 15252471 Anakim said:

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Should've said Ramses Barden. Damn

dude sideline footwork was unreal.

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number 45

it's a tough one. Probably Hakeem Nicks, I think he gets overlooked for his monster playoff run in 2011. Those 2 first half TDs he had were massive.

Odell during his first 2 years is far and away the best WR I've seen on the Giants, sucks that he peaked so early. That deep drop on Josh Norman was the turning point of his career. He had absolutely obliterated him on that route but dropped the easiest catch possible. He snapped and headbutted him that game and he started having dropsies after that. I'm still rooting for him to return to the superstar level but highly doubt it.

Beckham before the injury looked like he was going to be but I'd go with Nicks as well. The guy was a monster before his injuries. I remember one season he was 8 td's in 8 games before hurting his leg. Bigtime player. Huge performance against the packers in Lambeau. Hell of a player. Also loved Toomer and Plax.

just a great human being who worked his way up.

Nothing close to some of the divas that are out there now and crazy speed and quickness.

He was just clutch with those side line diving catches.

Del Shofner, Homer Jones, and Phil McConkey would be at the top of my list.

Plaxico is a close 2nd followed by Toomer then Cruz

Personal favorites if I had to choose two for a sandlot game would've been Ike Hilliard & Ed McCaffrey

Cruuuuuuuuuuuuuuzzzzzzzzzz.

except OBJ.

...a total pro, so reliable

but Plax and Toomer are my alternates. We've had Many notable receivers over the years but it seems the injury bug got many of them: Calloway, Sherard, Nicks, Steve Smith, Manningham. I also liked Stephen Baker, Phil McConkey, Bobby Johnson.

In comment 15252490 illmatic said:

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No jewels, no nothin’, just regular.

+1

Bent over the counter, comparin specs

Amani Toomer was great too

but before he morphed into Mr. Self-Absorbed, along with the injury, OBJ was the most gifted physically WR I had seen since Jerry Rice. So I think that is worth mentioning...

Not sure I have a favorite-favorite, but I enjoyed Cab Calloway, Nicks, Ingram, and Toomer.

Toney. That it seems like Giants during the Eli era have had some really good WR finds and where Toney might ultimately rank among the Beckhams/Nicks/Steve Smiths/Toomers as a talent. Crazy how short lived the limelight was for some of those guys in New York.

Beckham on the field.
Steve Smith
Hicks
Phil McConkey (first love)
Plaxico
Shepard
Stephen Baker
Toomer (he's kind of tough one, really disliked him early because i didn't think he was living up to potential, then i liked him, then towards the end some of the things he said bothered me and he seemed to ride out on coattails without give 100% effort again. I don't know I could be wrong, i was young.

I didn't like Manningham or Randle, but i appreciate what they did for us.

and VC...

1. Plaxico (killing the Eagles and Super Bowl 42 catch) he can slap my mother in the face and I'd still love him.
2. Amani Toomer
3. Hakeem Nicks
4. Victor Cruz
5. OBJ

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#85

for a bit

Plax cause he is the Eagle Killer

Toomer is the Goat

My dad loved Homer Jones and Del Shofner

And it ain't close.

Cruz after that.

but he is one of my favorite SB memories as a kid, Mark Engram in SB 25: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgWfLZgr-YA

Similarly I will never forget David Tyree's helmet catch or Manningham's clutch over the shoulder catch.

Some plays just live on in your memory no matter how long ago it happened.

Plax and Nicks. I loved watching both and what they are added to the team, each one was really a huge part in each of our Super Bowl runs. Cruz was an unbelievable player that blossomed so nice. From I drafted to taking over the league as the best slot receiver for some time. He was fun to watch and had an equally short lived career as Nicks and Plax.

It’s really a shame that OBJ burned out his welcome here so quick. I think if OBJ wasn’t here through the decade of shit teams we had we would all have a much different perspective and appreciation for what he did in his prime. For the longest time he was the only thing that made the Giants watchable, we had an absolutely awful cast of players around him otherwise. Of course the one playoff appearance in 2018 was the one outlier year, and that performance really when he started to finally leave a sour impression, all the years of crap we put up with for so long from him finally ran its course. Don’t know if we will ever see a player like him again though.

gonna get wacked,

for a short period there he was one of the league’s best receivers. His 2011 playoff production was immense...

When he came to the Giants in ‘93 he was a breath of fresh air! A true number 1 receiver!
He had some bad injuries in his career but always seemed to easily get open. I’m not sure which year but he was hurt with a dislocated hip against the Eagles.

The next year he came back and had a great year and then got hurt again.

I wonder how good he could have been without the injuries.

his numbers would probably better if he had more stability at qb. He had Warner at his worst, a young and erratic Eli, and the unholy trinity of Brown, Graham, and Kannel. After early struggles as a young player he became a damn good player.

I'd say Cruz was number 2. Shame that every wr we had kept getting injured. Cruz, Nicks, Smith. All very good players that should have had better careers.

He was clutch and always gave 110%. Long career, always reliable numbers. Always came to play, always showed up. Remember that photo where he was being carried off the field because he just had no more left, couldn't even walk back.

OBJ - followed by (its not a) Toomer and Victor Cruz.

Burress/Toomer combo was so deadly and ideal for a young Eli Manning. Burress with the speed, blocking and height. Toomer with the experience and knowledge of the game. Not the fastest guy on the field but he knew how to get open and make some big plays on the sideline, made great third down catches and just deserved that Super Bowl ring for all of his hard work over the years.

What pissed me off was when they made no mention about Toomers time with the team after 42. Joe Buck didnt say hardly anything when they showed him during the Super Bowl celebration, the Super Bowl DVD didn't mention him in particular once I don't think and he wasn't mentioned either on America's Game but we got to hear the dumbass story about how Eli's wife sat in the booth during the Packer game.

Who gives a shit?

Loved his football IQ, toughness catching the ball in traffic to move the chains and precise route running. The trust Eli had in him as a rookie despite missing so many games during the season showed up in the playoffs. It was remarkable. Third and 11 right before the TD pass to Plax is a play etched in my memory. Such a shame his career was cut short by injury.

Yes, he was made of glass. But in six games, he gave an aging Phil Simms a chance for some fun in his final season.

Cruz, OBJ, Plaxico, Baker, and Ingram also deserve some love.

To me Nicks is everything I want in a NYG receiver. Big, strong hands, clutch in big games, and willing to run block. I'm still sick about his career being derailed by his foot injury.

Amani is the Giants GOAT for his consistent, and long-term career (after a slow start).

Manuel was a pleasant surprise at a time when the Parcells Giants were just getting started. He, along with Bobby Johnson, have the Giants very effective threats to compliment the running game.

Amani Toomer
Stephen Baker
Lionel Manuel
Phil McConkey
Victor Cruz

That'd be my top 5. Hakeem Nicks and Plax are also "in there" as well as Ike Hilliard.

Mark Ingram would be on that bubble too

Kyle Rote or Frank Gifford. I guess I am showing my age. LOL

Is up there too.

Toomer.

but I kind of want to mention one play I will always remember from Mark Ingram

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgWfLZgr-YA

Kind of looks similar to some of Toney's highlights now that I re-watched it.

I guess it's certain plays that stand out to me. OBJ has a ton. Plaxico had great ones too. Cruz's 99 yarder was insane. Nicks' splitting the entire defensive backfield for a TD in the Falcons playoff game. Toomer being the most reliable WR of all that I can remember and fantastic on those toe drags. McConkey had miles and miles of heart. Was so happy for him getting a SB TD, even if it was off of Bavaro's helmet. That leaves me with Bavaro. Not a WR but hey, "Even when he's covered he's open". Bavaro is one of my all time favorite Giants' period.

I remember him catching long bombs from Eli. That's when I thought Eli would be alright.

Made the catch that mattered most of all...

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Nicks, Baker, Ingram, Ed Mcaffrey, Odell, Nicks, Smith, Toomer,Cruuuuz,Plax, Mckonkey.

Homer Jones

Thought I d be the only one 😄

In comment 15252729 jeffusedtobeonwebtv said:

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Kyle Rote or Frank Gifford. I guess I am showing my age. LOL

I considered them especially Gifford But he was also a halfback first. I thought if Shofner before Rote.

But your not alone, they were close on my list. Homer was just so much fun

Gifford, Ernie Gray, Nicks, Cruz, Toomer.

Tough as nails.

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We had a lot of very good receivers. We have never really had a great receiver (generational talent). It’s funny when you look at it.

In comment 15252800 Carl in CT said:

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We had a lot of very good receivers. We have never really had a great receiver (generational talent). It’s funny when you look at it.

I would say we have not had many great receivers given that we are an original franchise. During the Parcells era, we had a bunch of functional guys. Have to love Cruz, McConkey, and Nicks. But I think it is a pretty limited group that opposing coaches had to game plan around. OBJ was probably the best, although at a certain point, very hard to like.

easily my favorite NYG WR. His toe tap grabs on the sideline were a thing of beauty. Up there with Cris Carter as the 2 best I've ever seen at that specific part of the position.

Toomer's lunging (completely laid out horizontally) grab over the frozen Tundra while just staying inbounds by inches is one of the most underrated plays of that Super Bowl run.

Ike Hilliard, Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks are up there as well.

With Plax very close. OBJ was by far the most talented we've had in my lifetime at least to start his career. I feel the exact same way Rasbutant feels about Toomer. My favorite thing about Amani is that he's just regular. Tank top no chains. Oh and he likes remote control cars, I think

followed by Coleman Zeno

In comment 15252506 Red Dog said:

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Del Shofner, Homer Jones, and Phil McConkey would be at the top of my list.

Same, and throw in Victor Cruz.

But really, Cruz is my guy. Ended too early for him

until Victor Cruz went 99 yards vs the Jets.

In comment 15252488 BSIMatt said:

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Because he was drafted by the Giants and looking like a top 5 WR, helped us win a superbowl before his career was derailed.

This. Nicks was starting to dominate before the injury.

He was an exciting player and was pretty likeable. Toomer had an excellent career, Nicks was great before injuries took over. I really liked Steve Smith - really reliable, again, before injuries. Plus, Smith gets bonus points for going down short of the sticks in that game against us when he was in Phily.

In comment 15252929 Mad Mike said:

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He was an exciting player and was pretty likeable. Toomer had an excellent career, Nicks was great before injuries took over. I really liked Steve Smith - really reliable, again, before injuries. Plus, Smith gets bonus points for going down short of the sticks in that game against us when he was in Phily.

What is it with the Giants and injuries? We just seem to do worse than most when our players go down and whoever's up to bat can't keep up.

More recent, Amani Toomer!

and Homer Jones, then Plax and Cruz..

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In comment 15252653 Giantfan in skinland said:

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And it ain't close. Cruz after that.

RAMSEEEEES!

I still remember that one catch he made in training camp. Ahhh the memories!

because I loved his nickname.

As an adult, #88 Hakeem Nicks. I've never seen a more dominant player at WR in blue before or after.

Before his injury and apparent mental health issues , he was on track to be on the level of Jerry Rice or Randy Moss in terms of his ability to completely take over a game. He was amazing to watch. Toomer was my second fave for how he perfected his craft and formed a key part of the 2000 2002 and 2007.

There's a few guys that I am a huge fan of in (somewhat) chronological order:

1) Lionel Manuel
2) Bobby Johnson
3) Ike Hilliard
4) Amani Toomer
5) Plaxico
6) Steve Smith
7) Victor Cruz
8) Hakeem Nicks

Homer Jones
Earnest Gray
Lionel Manuel
Amani Toomer
Ike Hilliard
Plaxico Burress
Hakeem Nicks
Victor Cruz
Odell Beckham Jr.

... but not in my head.

Some of the plays Ingram made in the 1990 season/playoffs simply engrained him as BEST WR EVER in my young mind. Tough to undo that.

In my head it's Amani Toomer - one of the best examples of a guy who worked hard and fulfilled his potential.

Loved everything about him, even his tattoo was awesome.

Dude was fantastic from the second he put his pads on. Made Brian Dawkins his bitch.

Lambuth Special!

For me it’s a toss up between Cruz, Nicks, and Burress. Toomer is up there for me as well.

In comment 15253298 The Jake said:

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... but not in my head. Some of the plays Ingram made in the 1990 season/playoffs simply engrained him as BEST WR EVER in my young mind. Tough to undo that. In my head it's Amani Toomer - one of the best examples of a guy who worked hard and fulfilled his potential.

Oh man. How in the world did I forget Ingram.

After all the Braylon Edwards nonsense, we drafted a guy who was just leaps and bounds better... There was a strong BBI contingent who were BIG supporters of drafting Nicks leading into the draft... He was so critical in our SB46 championship run...

Really tough to see injuries cut his career so short... Same with Cruz

injured.

Well all you young guys should go and find ALL the highlights you can on Homer Jones..He was WR with speed to burn,in a TE body..Dallas had a WR with world record speed,but he refused to race a 40 or a 100 yds against Jones..I remember Jones carrying 2 or 3 defenders 10 or more yards more then once in games...He was one strong son of a gun...

Between Nicks and Plax.

I also loved watching Mario Manningham with he ball in his hands, but clearly he’s not on the same level.

Also loved Bradshaw, while not the best RB we have had, he was so fun to watch.

Love hearing the stories about him and Eli spenidng hours at night after practice breaking down film-- and the story he told about how he studied Al Harris INTENSELY and he said when that game started he "knew everything he could do and everything he couldn't do." (Harris that is.) And Plax flat out took Harris to the woodshed that day.

Also amazing he sprained his knee in the shower before the super bowl and he said the entire game he was basically a decoy just running the same down and in the entire game... UNTIL that final play where he faked going inside and went to the corner and caught the game winning TD pass. No wonder Hobbs was so surprised lol.

Don't get me wrong though I love me some Amani Toomer. I was there for the TD pass to beat the Broncos in '98-- I was about 10 rows up in that endzone! So glad he got a ring at the end of his career.

Have to also say Nicks and Cruz together in that 2011 season were just so fun to watch. Nicks had something like 4 TDs and 400 yards in that postseason-- he peaked at the exact right time and helped carry us to another title.

Can't leave out OBJ even though things ended on a sour note. I have a beautiful framed signed picture of OBJ's one handed catch against Dallas. That was probably the most astonishing thing I've ever seen watching football my whole life so I have it forever memorialized hanging in my house.

Nicks career to me was such a kick in the nuts. He had Canton potential if his body held up.

In comment 15253986 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:

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Nicks career to me was such a kick in the nuts. He had Canton potential if his body held up.

Yeah such a huge shame.

In comment 15253986 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:

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Nicks career to me was such a kick in the nuts. He had Canton potential if his body held up.

He and Cruz both

Hakeem Nicks,
And for one play 4th-and-17 – November 16, 1986, Bobby Johnson

In 2009 I would have guessed he'd retire the all time franchise leader in all meaningful receiving categories. The touchdown he scored (linked below) in Dallas when they opened their stadium...to me that felt like no other TD I'd seen a Giants WR score. That was an exhilarating, "holy shit" play for me. His career broke my heart.

I loved the guys on the 2011 team too. Those three guys all brought different things to the offense.
Link - ( New Window )

But he was on such bad teams. So I give the 1960s nod to Shofner, whose catches meant more, Some great ones since then, as mentioned, happily.

then Ike Hilliard Smith honorable mention

Cruuuuuuuuuz!

then Victor Cruz.

:yes:

He and Eli had some things that were not called. If the D did a certain thing they would do XXX or YYY and it felt unstoppable. It is why Eli had so many comebacks over that stretch.

Three best catches by a WR I have seen:
1) David Tyree Super Bowl XLII
2) Mario Manningham Super Bowl XLVI
3) OBJ 11/23/2014

Three best WRs I have seen:
1) OBJ
2) Amani Toomer
3) Plaxico Burress

Three Favorite WRs
1) Victor Cruz
2) Hakeem Nicks
3) Steve Smith